HIV/AIDS Crystal?

According to Reuters:

"British and U.S. researchers said they had grown a crystal that enabled them to see the structure of an enzyme called integrase, which is found in retroviruses like HIV and is a target for some of the newest HIV medicines."

This in undoubtedly huge for everyone, gay, straight, whatever.  It's a great thing that scientists are constantly moving forward on AIDS research - we all know this.  But it doesn't mean that we should have any less caution or awareness for practicing safe sex.

Women that identify as lesbians can still contract the HIV virus, not necessarily via sexual contact with another woman (unless there are open wounds etc) but via needles and even sexual contact with males can spread the virus.  

Another thing to consider is know your donor.   If you're looking to have a child and are going the friend donor route - check his health stats.  If your close enough to get his sperm you're close enough to ask him to get tested.
But aside from HIV, I find it interesting  that there's a lack of information for lesbians regarding STIs and safe sex.  Lets face it - dental dams?  Really?  That's the only thing I can think of that, I suppose, is a physical protection barrier for two women during intimacy.   

But what else do we know? What studies are there? Everything I've read says that woman to woman contact offers very low transmittal risks for AIDS.  Great.  BUT what I always forget about (and maybe it's just me) is that there are other things out there of which we need to be aware.  Warts, herpes,  Hep B - all of these things are easily transmittable from partner to partner or toy to partner.  

Sex toys can very easily become vectors for STIs. Infected partners can leave discharge or fluids, which can introduced into your system if you share items during intimacy. If at all possible use separate items to limit contact.  I'd also suggest boiling your toys to disinfect.  I know some say the dishwasher is an effective way to clean toys but check with the manufactures and those that are silicone clean nicely in a hot pot of water.


For more information I'd check out this helpful page from Avert.  It named a lot of things I had either forgotten or never thought about. Anything listed here surprise you?